【Disaster Preparedness Stockpiling】I actually tried using the compressed Daiso towels, socks, and bath towels

Because disasters can happen at any time, I want to be prepared for various situations to protect my family when the time comes. I uncompressed and actually used Daiso's "compressed towel," "compressed socks," and "compressed bath towel" to verify their usability and practicality.

If it's compressed, it's easy to prepare!? Disaster prevention goods bought at Daiso

When you think of disaster prevention goods, you might imagine impressive backpacks or high-performance lights, but when you need to prepare for the entire family, it takes up a lot of space to store them.

What I found at such times is Daiso's stockpiling series. The numerous compressed disaster prevention goods are palm-sized, lightweight, and don't take up storage space, making them easy to keep. It's not about "disaster prevention = extravagant preparation," but rather incorporating small preparations that can be done now into daily life. This series changed that mindset for me.

The compressed towel seems useful as a wiping cloth

The compressed towel (approximately 23×35 cm) is surprisingly compact. When you open the package, there is a tightly compressed towel inside. When you take it out, it's light and incredibly thin. It looks almost unbelievable, like, "Is this really going to become a towel?"

When you add water here, it expands quickly and grows to a size beyond your imagination.

The texture is closer to non-woven fabric than cotton, and the softness is moderate. The feel is reminiscent of a cross between a dishcloth and gauze. It is sufficient for wiping wet hands or sweat, and it is practical as a small wipe that you might want during emergencies or while sleeping in a car.

The fact that it comes in a pack of six is reassuring for families. Each towel is individually wrapped, making it convenient to store in different places for each family member, such as in emergency bags or on the car dashboard.

Product Name / Emergency Supply Compressed Towel (6 pieces)
Price / 110 yen
Material / 100% Rayon
Size / Approximately 23cm x 35cm
● Daiko Sangyo

The compressed bath towel is only usable once, but it’s reasonably good

Let’s take a look at a slightly larger towel. The compressed bath towel (approximately 100 x 70 cm) comes in a small round pack that fits in the palm of your hand. It’s surprisingly lightweight, like a thick coaster. It has a size that fits snugly in the gaps of a disaster preparedness bag.

As I opened it, wondering, "Can this really become a bath towel with such smallness?" I realized it was tightly compressed.

When soaked in water, it slowly expands to absorb air and spreads into a sufficiently sized bath towel in about several dozen seconds.

The material is similar to non-woven fabric; it does absorb water, but it lacks the fluffy feel of cotton. The texture is a bit crisp, giving the impression of medical gauze or disposable wet wipes.

Use after drying. It was sufficient for wiping a child's body, but too thin for an adult's entire body. As stated on the package, it is not machine washable and is intended for single-use. Even so, it was a reliable cloth in emergencies that made me think, "It's much better than nothing."

Product name / Emergency compressed bath towel
Price / 110 yen
Material / 100% rayon
Size / Approximately 100cm x 70cm
● Daiso Industries

Compressed socks do not lose their shape even after washing

Next, I tried the compressed socks for emergency stock (23-25cm, short length). Inside the package, there is one pair of socks that are tightly rolled up into a small circle.

When you pick it up, it has a texture packed tightly with fibers like felt, and is sturdier than it looks. When pressed with your finger, it has a bit of bounce, providing a mysterious touch that feels like it's about to be compressed but doesn't actually collapse. Its size also fits well into the pocket of a disaster prevention bag, which is a nice feature as it doesn't take up much space.

When submerged in water, it gradually softens while absorbing air, slowly returning to the shape of a sock. It takes about a minute to completely loosen up.

When gently stretched by hand, it finally takes on the familiar appearance of a sock. While it looks thin, it is well-knit, so there’s no fear of it tearing when unfolded.

When dried and tried on, it is somewhat thinner compared to regular socks, but surprisingly provides a stable fit.

With a slight transparency, when lightly stretched, the fabric flexibly envelops the entire foot. Even when walking, it doesn't slip, and the sensation on the soles of the feet is comfortable. The fabric itself has breathability, making it less prone to sweating and seemingly comfortable for use during summer evacuations or stays in the car.

Of course, this is different from thick socks intended for long-term use, but in situations where you want to change your socks right now or don't want to spend time with wet socks, the lightness and quick-drying nature are a great relief.

When I tried washing them, there was no fraying or distortion, and after drying, they returned to almost the same state as when I first put them on. Despite being thin, the fibers are sturdy enough that they seem reusable for several times. Just being able to wear clean socks in an emergency brings a sense of mental ease... this was a pair that instilled such small comfort.

Product Name / Stockpiling Compression Socks
Price / 110 yen
Material / 98% Polyester, 2% Polyurethane
Size / Women's 23-25 cm
● Daiso Industry

Just having preparations changes your heart

Honestly, I wondered, "What could 110 yen possibly buy?" However, after actually using them, I realized that the fact of being prepared leads to daily peace of mind. Just imagining "What if there is a power outage?" or "What if I have to evacuate with my children?" makes it clear what and how much I should prepare. It may be that having an imagineable sense of security is the essence of stockpiling, rather than simply gathering tools.

It’s good to have them, even if they’re not perfect.

The Daiso stockpiling series may offer a presence that brings "practical peace of mind" rather than perfection. The compressed towels and bath towels are meant for single use, while the socks have practicality as they can be washed and reused, all of which are lightweight and compact. And they are reasonably priced. It's not about extensive preparation, but rather about gradually accumulating peace of mind for the family through regular shopping. It makes preparedness not something special, but a natural habit… that was the reason for choosing this series.

Interview/Article by SYURI

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